Pakistan will take part in Asian Games: PCB

The BCCI might have decided against sending their teams for this year's Asian Games in China but the Pakistan Cricket Board has already submitted a shortlist of 30 players with the organisers.

"Pakistan will be taking part in the Asian Games where the cricket competition is being held for the first time," a PCB official said.

He said the national selectors had finalised a list of 30 players for the multi-sporting event and had already sent to the authorities before the deadline of March 31.

"The Asian Games is one of the biggest regional sporting events in the world and definitely our team will take part in it," PCB director-general cricket Javed Miandad said.

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has refused to send its men's and women's teams citing prior international commitments and the decision has already come under fire from many quarters, including the Indian Olympic Association and prominent sportspersons.

Miandad said he was surprised by BCCI's decision but it was their internal matter.

"The Pakistan team is going that is important to us," he added.

Sources in the PCB said that since Pakistan team does not have commitments in November this year when the Asian Games are scheduled, they were facing no problems in sending a team.

"The selectors have included some senior and leading players in the shortlist of 30 players and Pakistan will definitely send a strong side to China," one source said.

Another source pointed out that the relations between Pakistan and China played an important role in PCB's decision to send a team for the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou from Novermber 12 to 27.

"Yes, Pakistan has excellent relations with China and we are doing our best to promote cricket in China and also provide them infrastructure and technical help. We see the Asian Games as a best possible platform for the sport to be promoted in China which has a viable commercial market for the sport," Miandad stated.

Miandad himself has been appointed as cricket ambassador to China and former Pakistan Test player Rashid Khan is the current head coach in China.

Recently, a Chinese team was also in Pakistan on the invitation of the PCB for training.